Vol. 569 No. 3
373 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will discuss the difficulties being faced at an inner city flat complex with the Garda Commissioner; if steps will be taken to deal with this grave situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17494/03]
I have brought the material supplied by the Deputy in connection with this question to the attention of the Garda authorities. I am informed by the Garda authorities that Fatima Mansions is policed by gardaí from Kilmainham Garda Station. These gardaí are augmented by different specialist units including the detective unit, special resource unit, drugs unit and the divisional crime task force based at Pearse Street Station. In addition, a dedicated community policing Garda is assigned full time to Fatima Mansions to address the concerns of the residents. I am further informed that gardaí target the Fatima Mansions complex to ensure that a high visibility Garda presence is maintained. Known offenders are also targeted and many notable successes have been achieved.
The Garda provide a personalised policing service to the area and maintain ongoing liaison with the local residents, Dublin City Council, health boards and other statutory and voluntary agencies working with the communities with the objective of ensuring that a multi-agency approach is adopted to address the problems in the area.
The Garda keep in contact with the community groups, particularly through the Rialto policing forum which has a Garda as a member. I have asked the Garda authorities to address the residents' concerns outlined in this regard in the correspondence. I understand the superintendent at Kevin Street will endeavour to encourage the delegates back into the forum. I have been assured by the Garda that policing strategies are kept under review by Garda management and are tailored to meet changing circumstances and that the complex will continue to receive Garda attention.
There are a number of other initiatives in place to address the difficulties being faced by residents of the flat complex. As the Deputy is aware, the Fatima Mansions complex is situated in the canal communities local drug task force area – which is one of the fourteen local drug task forces established by the Government in areas of disadvantage identified as having the highest levels of drug misuse. Each local drug task force is in the process of implementing its second local drug action plan incorporating a range of measures in relation to drug prevention and education, treatment and rehabilitation and drug supply control within their designated area. The task forces also provide a mechanism for the co-ordination of drug services within their own areas.
Under this initiative, the Government has already approved funding of approximately €2 million to the canal communities local drugs task force towards the implementation of the two rounds of plans which it has submitted to date. A considerable number of projects have been established and supported in the task force area and the Fatima Mansion complex is benefiting through this process. A number of specific projects within the complex are supported in this way including the employment of a community development worker to support the local community in relation to the drugs issue, the provision of financial support for the Women's Support Group in its work with recovering female drug users in the flats complex and the employment of an assistant child care worker in the Little People's Palace crèche in Fatima Mansions.
